Sunday, December 19, 2010

Monday's Three Stars: The Quick and the rest

No. 1 Star: Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings 

Some nights, they make it easy for us. Quick's 51-save performance backstopped the Los Angeles Kings to a 5-0 shutout victory at the Detroit Red Wings. It was a career best for Quick, who was at his best in stopping 26 shots in the second period, including several on two Detroit power plays. It was a rebound game for Quick, who was shaky in a loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Drew Doughty had three helpers, while Anze Kopitar scored two goals in the third period to ice it.

No. 2 Star: Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames

Playing one of his best games of the season, Iggy scored his 13th in the first period and ended the game with goal No. 14 in overtime to give the Flames a 3-2 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. Here's the game-winner; hard work in the O-zone by the Flames:

No. 3 Star: Anders Lindback, Nashville Predators

Consecutive shutouts for Anders the Giant, as the Preds blanked the New York Islanders, 5-0. He made 28 saves and received plenty of offensive support as Sergei Kostitsyn, Patric Hornqvist (twice), Jerred Smithson and Nick Spaling provided goals.

Honorable mention: The wildest game of the night took place in Denver, as the Colorado Avalanche outscored the Chicago Blackhawks 7-5. Six goals were scored in the first period, including Paul Stastny's 13th; two more in the second and four in the third. Matt Duchene had 2 goals and an assist, while Tomas Fleischmann and Stastny both had 1 goal and two helpers. Fleischmann and Duchene scored 1 minute apart in the third period (17:36, 18:36) to give Colorado the lead. ... For Chicago, Troy Brouwer had 2 goals and an assist. ... Dustin Byfuglien set a franchise record for goals in a season by a defenseman with his 11th and Bryan Little's overtime goal allowed the Atlanta Thrashers to overcome having blown a 3-0 lead to win 4-3 at the Ottawa Senators. Jason Spezza tied the game at 7:23 of the third with a penalty shot against Ondrej Pavelec (27 saves). ... Andrew Raycroft made 31 saves and another two in the shootout as the Dallas Stars won at the San Jose Sharks, 3-2. Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist; Jamie Benn and Brad Richards scored in the skills competition. ... Stick-tap to Derek Joslin, who scored his first NHL goal after 47 games as a pro. ... Rick Nash scored his 17th in the loss for the Blue Jackets. 

Did you know? The Predators haven't allowed a power-play goal in 12 of their last 13 games. (AP)

Dishonorable mention: Hey, good thing the Islanders got Scott Gordon out of there, having now gone 1-17-3 in their last 21. ... Marty Turco didn't get much help and was yanked after giving up four goals on 10 shots for Chicago. ... Steve Mason was pulled by the Blue Jackets after giving up two goals on four shots. Via Tom Reed of the Dispatch: "Since the start of 2009-10 season, no goalie has been pulled from more starts than Steve Mason (11), according to Elias Sport Bureau." ... Finally, this game-winning goal for the Thrashers wasn't exactly Jason Spezza and the Sens' finest moment in OT:

Dennis Persson Richard Petiot Nick Petrecki Alexander Petrovic

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